How to Build a Bridge out of Popsicle Sticks for Kids

You can model your Popsicle stick bridge after a real bridge.

Whether you have collected a bunch over a long summer or picked up some at a craft supply store, Popsicle sticks make it easy for kids to build sturdy wood models. To facilitate a Popsicle stick craft, give the kids a clear goal and a set quantity of Popsicle sticks. For example, if you are instructing your kids to make a bridge, specify the type of bridge and the load it will have to bear. This way you can easily adapt the project for older kids by changing the requirements.

Things You'll Need

• Tape
• Glue
• Cardboard
• Scissors
• Ruler
• Base

Instructions

Span Bridge

1. Place two red sticks horizontally side-by-side, and then mark the center of each stick. Use different colors or plain sticks as desired, but remember that a color-coded construction plan is easier to follow for younger children and visual learners.

2. Place one blue stick on either side of the red sticks, and line up the tip of the blue sticks with the center mark to begin the bridge deck. This deck piece will end with a C-shaped opening.

3. Fit two red sticks end-to-end with the first red sticks -- i.e., in the C-shaped opening. Attach two additional blue sticks to the top and bottom.

4. Repeat Step 3 until the desired bridge length is achieved. End the deck with two red sticks.

5. Place a piece of tape across the deck near the ends of the blue sticks.

6. Spread a thick layer of glue across the entire deck.

7. Line up yellow sticks side-by-side across the length of the deck bordered by blue sticks. Ensure these sticks are perpendicular to the deck and centered, with equal overhang at each end.

8. Allow the deck to dry overnight.

9. Flip the bridge over and repeat, gluing sticks to the underside of the deck.

10. Turn the deck on its side so that you can see the edge of two yellow sticks. Glue a blue stick to the edge of the deck so that it touches both yellow sticks and covers the gap between the sticks.

11. Stack two piles of books the same height and space them one bridge length apart.

12. Place the end of the bridge on the piles.

Pillars

1. Glue four sticks side-by-side.

2. Glue three sticks on top of the four sticks, one on top of each seam, to form a wall-like plate.

3. Repeat Steps 1 and 2 three times to make a total of four walls.

4. Hold two walls vertically. Ensure that the sides of the walls with three sticks are facing. Glue and tape them together at a right angle to form an L-shaped piece.

5. Repeat with the remaining two walls.

6. Attach the two L-shaped pieces to form a rectangular tube. Glue one end of the tube to the base of the bridge deck, and then the other end to a sturdy base to form a pillar.

7. Repeat Steps 1 through 6 to make additional pillars.

8. Cut four 1-foot lengths of cardboard.

9. Coat the first 6 inches of the cardboard with glue on all sides.

10. Locate the four openings at the ends of the bridge deck flanking the red Popsicle sticks. Slide a piece of cardboard into each of the openings, glued end first. There will be two cardboard ramps at either end of the bridge.

11. Connect the cardboard flaps by spanning them with a single Popsicle stick at 1- to 2-inch intervals. This will make the ramp sturdier.

Tips & Warnings

• A truss design can make your bridge stronger. To make a truss bridge, create triangles by placing three Popsicle sticks tip-to-tip. Tape the sticks together and then layer a second set of Popsicle sticks on top. Tape the entire surface of the triangle. Make two decks, and then attach several triangles to the sides of the bridge creating a truss.

References

• Tennessee Department of Transportation: Covered Bridges in Tennessee-What is a Truss Bridge?
• University of Notre Dame: Long-Span Bridge